Mechanical properties of decellularized extracellular matrix coated with TiCaPCON film.

For the first time the surface of decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) was modified via deposition of a multicomponent bioactive nanostructured film for improvement of the DECM's mechanical properties. TiCaPCON films were deposited onto the surface of intact and decellularized ulna, radius, and humerus bones by magnetron sputtering of TiC + 10%Ca(PO) and Ti targets in a gaseous mixture of Ar + N. The film structure was studied using x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

In vitro bioactivity study of TiCaPCO(N) and Ag-doped TiCaPCO(N) films in simulated body fluid.

Bioactivity of multicomponent TiCaPCO(N) and Ag-doped TiCaPCO(N) films was evaluated in vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF) and compared with that of bioactive glass Biogran. The first group of films was fabricated by magnetron sputtering of composite TiС -Ti PO -CaO target produced via the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method (TiCaPCON films), after which their surface was implanted with Ag ions to obtain Ag-doped TiCaPCON films. The second group of films was fabricated by pulsed electrospark deposition (PED) using SHS-produced composite TiС -Ti PO -CaO and TiС -Ti PO -CaO-Ag electrodes.

Toward bioactive yet antibacterial surfaces.

The fabrication of antibacterial yet biocompatible and bioactive surfaces is a challenge that biological and biomedical community has faced for many years, while no "dream material" has been developed so far. The primary goal of this study was to establish an optimal range of Ag concentration and its state of agglomeration in bioactive nanocomposite TiCaPCON films which would provide a strong bactericidal effect without compromising the material biocompatibility and bioactivity. To obtain samples with different Ag content and redistribution, two different methods were employed: (i) TiCaPCON films deposition by magnetron sputtering of composite TiС0.